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REMINDER AND REVISED COMMENTS: Oppose the Rollback of Emergency Preparedness Rules: Submit Comments to CMS by November 19!

November 07, 2018

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted comments to oppose the rollback of the emergency preparedness rules.

For those who haven't: There is still time to do so. Note that the sample comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging have been revised to reflect findings from an investigative report, "Sheltering in Danger," by the Minority Staff of the Senate Finance Committee. This report concluded that current federal emergency preparedness standards are too weak.

The proposed emergency preparedness rule issued by CMS would change a number of key provisions in the current rule. Under the proposal, facilities would only be required to review and update their emergency plan, policies and procedures, communication plan, and training and testing program every two years rather than annually. Also, staff training on emergency preparedness would no longer be required annually, but instead only every other year. To read more about the proposed changes, click here.

Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging are extremely concerned that the proposed revisions would make nursing homes less ready when disaster strikes and subject residents to greater danger, and even death.

CMS needs to hear from all of us that this proposed regulation is not acceptable! Follow the easy steps below to submit comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging opposing this proposed rule AND sign Consumer Voice's sign-on letter.

Submit comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging by 11:59 PM ET on November 19, 2018:

The Consumer Voice envisions a world in which all consumers of long-term care, services and supports are treated with respect and dignity and have a wide range of affordable, quality options across all settings.